r is to be made next. Plan the different parts of the door so
that the edges may be planed to fit the opening; that is, make the door
a good quarter larger at top and bottom than the opening. In cutting the
rebate the easiest way is to use a rabbeting plane and cut the full
length of the pieces. By using a tenon on the rails in which one
shoulder is as much longer than the other as the rebate is deep there is
no resulting groove showing at the corner.
[Illustration: Case with Mirror Door]
The wood should be finished before the glass is set, at least, it should
be filled, if of hard wood, and one coat of paint put on, if of soft
wood which is to be enameled.
In setting the glass, place a thin cushion of putty between the rebate
and the glass and another thin cushion between the glass and the fillet
of wood or the backing which is to protect the back of the glass.
Fit the door, and then put on the hinges and lock. If desired, the
tenons may be made keyed as shown in the photograph instead of through
as shown in the drawing.
To finish the case, if of oak, apply a coat of light paste filler, the
directions being on the filler can. Next put on a coat of white shellac.
When this has hardened apply two coats of some good varnish. Allow time
for each coat to harden and rub the first coats with haircloth or curled
hair, and the last with pulverized pumice and raw linseed oil or crude
oil.
If the wood is soft and an enamel white is desired, the enamel is
applied not unlike paint. The directions will be found on the cans in
which the paint is purchased.
A SIDE CHAIR
A side chair of simple design and construction is here given. The great
difficulty with most chair designs is that the back is generally
designed narrower than the front, thus necessitating the rails entering
the posts or legs at angles. To the amateur this is quite confusing. The
chair illustrated is the same in width, both back and front, so that the
shoulders of all the rails are at right angles to the sides. The back of
the chair is straight, thus simplifying the design still more.
[Illustration: Side Chair Complete]
Another thing which is confusing to the beginner in his efforts to lay
out the mortises is the irregular placing of the rails. It will be noted
that in this design the rails of side, front and back are on the same
level.
Plain sawed red oak will be appropriate for this piece. Have the pieces
mill-planed and sandpapered
|